Shaun Burgoyne is arguably the most experienced ‘pre-season camper’ in AFL history.

Despite chalking up his 21^st career camp with this week’s trip to Launceston, the Hawks veteran is showing no signs of fatigue.

“It’s been really good,” Burgoyne said following the club’s final training session at Windsor Park.

“The boys love it down here. We love getting out in the community but also combining it with some really intense training sessions.

“It’s the first time we’ve had two pre-season camps within the space of a couple of months, so it’s been a good challenge."

While the four-time premiership player spent much of 2019 marshalling the backline, his Round 23 three-goal performance against West Coast may have been a pre-cursor for what’s to come.

“I’m training forward at the moment,” Burgoyne said, with the subtlest of smirks.

“I don’t know how long that’ll last. You’ll have to ask Clarko.

“But it’s been really exciting. I’m trying to help out the other forwards and provide some leadership, especially with a few young guys up there. I feel like that’s what I’m there for.

“I have a pretty unique situation where I change my position on a weekly basis, or sometimes quarter by quarter. At this stage, it’s all systems go to start forward.

“At some point I know I’ll go back or through the midfield, it just depends on where the coaches think I’m needed.

“But at the moment I’m putting all my time and effort into learning the patterns and building some synergy with the other forwards. It’s been really enjoyable.”

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While the football climate may be dramatically different to his first pre-season back in 2001, Burgoyne’s number one objective remains unchanged: to become the best footballer he can be.

And at 37 years of age, Burgoyne’s younger teammates are helping ignite the enthusiasm required to achieve his goals.

“I’m still trying to learn and get better every year, improve my kicking, improve my decision making.

“There are so many young guys that come in each year eager to learn, so they help to keep you motivated.

“Us old guys provide the experience, the young guys provide the excitement.”

While he credits all the youngsters for bringing the energy, there is one in particular that has captured Burgoyne’s attention across the course of the pre-season.

“Mat Walker has been a stand-out of the whole club, not just the young guys,” he said.

“He’s ‘PBed’ in about four or five areas, (including) weight, strength testing, running - everything.

“He’s really transformed his body and his match effort in training. He’s lifted his standards across the board and he’s the one who’s really impressed everyone so far.”